1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Rick Smith #174 Reliable Blue Liner Boston Bruins (EX-MT 6)

Description

1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Rick Smith #174 Reliable Blue Liner Boston Bruins (EX-MT 6) Bolster your vintage hockey collection with this sharp 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Rick Smith hockey card. Smith was a highly dependable, versatile defenseman who provided crucial stability to the Boston Bruins' blue line during their golden era in the early 1970s. While flashier stars grabbed the headlines, Smith earned the deep respect of teammates and fans for his intelligent positioning, physical play, and consistent defensive efforts. This card is a beautiful example of a classic 1970s hockey single that looks just as good today as it did decades ago. On the reverse side, you will find the signature O-Pee-Chee bilingual back featuring full text descriptions in both English and French. The bio details his unique career journey, highlighting that he studied dentistry during his playing days, a fun piece of hockey trivia that collectors love. Smith won a Stanley Cup with Boston in 1970 and enjoyed a long, successful career across multiple leagues, making this card a fantastic addition for any hockey historian. This card is in phenomenal Excellent-Mint condition, boasting exceptional eye appeal. The centering is beautifully squared up, which is rare for cards from this challenging vintage production run. The corners are crisp and well-defined, showing only the slightest hints of soft white under close magnification. The edges are clean and straight with no notable wire-cut roughness or surface chipping. The front color is brilliant and the back is exceptionally clean, carrying deep green ink lines with no signs of age wear or handle marks. Grade Estimate: EX-MT 6